Viola d'amore
1
Photo by Digital Imaging Unit © The University of Edinburgh
InstrumentViola d'amore |
Instrument FamilyStrings |
MakerJoseph Albanus |
Date Made18th Century |
DescriptionThis instrument has a two piece spruce soundboard, with flame-shaped soundholes plus a circular soundhole under the fingerboard. The soundboard has ebony/sycamore/ebony purfling and ivory edging. Two piece back and ribs of sycamore with a light figure; figure descends from centre of back. Ivory edging pieces for the back-rib corner, and the corners between the ribs. Soundpost plate c.50mm wide; soundpost present. Added button capping on back of deep figured sycamore, and shield below of birds-eye maple. Nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece of ebony. Scroll/pegbox and neck of sycamore; the pegbox has triangular depressions along each side, as well as ivory edging. Lion's head finial. Bowed string pegs of rosewood, sympathetic string pegs of boxwood (?). Varnished in a clear golden brown colour. Relief carving under the bowed string pegs, open above the sympathetic pegs. Six bowed and six sympathetic strings. Measurements: Neck 161mm long; fingerboard 294mm long, 32.8mm wide at nut, 52.9mm wide at bottom. Inscription: Labelled "Iosephus Matth Albanus / fecit Bulsani in Ferole Anno 1..." (the label has been torn at the edge, the next figure appears to be a handwritten 7). Associated with bow (3366). Specific literature references: G.S. (1968) No 591. Previous ownership: Sold by Messrs J. & R. Glen to the Royal Scottish Museum in 1908. |
NotesD. Martin, 27.10.93, 1994. |
Measurements768. |
ProvenanceSold by Messrs J. & R. Glen to the Royal Scottish Museum in 1908.; Lent by the Trustees of the National Museums of Scotland, NMS 1908.263. |
CollectionMIMEd; Glen Collection |
Accession Number3365 |